Cats do not count as ‘second person’ for Hwy. 417 HOV lanes, OPP says

Ontario Provincial Police say an officer charged a driver for using the HOV alone on Hwy. 417. Police said the driver counted their cat as a “second person.” (OPP/X)

A cat doesn’t count as a passenger to allow you to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Highway 417 in Ottawa, according to police.

Ontario Provincial Police say an officer stopped a driver in the HOV lane on Highway 417 near Terry Fox Drive, “after they were seen driving alone in the HOV lane.”

“The driver mistakenly believed that because she had her cat with her, that allowed her to use the HOV lane,” OPP Const. Michael Fathi said on X.

“While we all love our pets, they, unfortunately, do not count towards having a second person in the car with you!”

The driver received a $110 fine for improper use of an HOV lane and three demerit points.

The HOV lanes are designated lanes that can only be used by vehicles carrying two or more people, and are intended to encourage carpooling and manage congestion, according to the Ministry of Transportation.